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Vegas for families: Valley of Fire
We ventured off to Valley of Fire this trip so the kids could experience it. Remember to go early if you’re like us and go in the summer!
Valley of Fire is about an hour drive with one gas station stop/casino/store. Stop there if you need gas because you won’t have another chance for gas in the valley. You should also stop there because it’s unique, gifts, bathroom, and it’s interesting.
All of the adults had been before (a first for the kids), but this is a place you can visit numerous times and it is still amazing! There are so many things to see and different trails.
Best parts: I watched the kids climb around ( no pics of climbs because I’m mom-spotting from below every time). We found many lizards because it is still early and the kids hunted for snakes although we have a variety of feelings about finding a snake! We saw the petroglyphs again which is awesome too and elephant rock of course!
For pictureshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/3149…

Sedona Vacation
I love visiting the southwest and usually my focus is in Nevada, but for this trip I wanted to visit Sedona. For over a decade, I have heard family speak of the majestic colors and mountains in Sedona.
We traveled from Boston to Phoenix first. I do not enjoy flying, but I love to travel. We use JetBlue for many reasons: the tv's on every seat-back, the kind employees, and the reliability.
Having three kids and working, we find it incredibly important to spend some vacations just you-and-me style. Here we are happy to be able to go on vacation together. Leaving for Sedona!

We enjoyed one night in Phoenix before traveling to Sedona. Unfortunately, the rain was relentless during our two day stay.
Driving in the rain

We made the best of the driving and turned up the radio or just talked and laughed together feeling relaxed and having a good time.

We booked a room at Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona. Poco Diablo has a great location and easy to drive to many restauran…

As usual, we have the next trip booked within weeks of returning. I know how lucky we are to go back to Vegas so often. I love the excitement, the noise, the people, and the equal amounts of familiarity and unpredictability. Here’s a few more things we love about our Vegas Nevada adventures.

Golf isn’t my thing, but it is fun to do with hubby and it’s so beautiful being out on the golf course it’s hard to not do it at least one morning on our vacations.

Did you know you can drive out to Boulder Creek and try out your golf swing?

Here I am at Boulder Creek on a beautiful July morning. I have no idea what I’m doing, but it’s fun anyway!

Don’t get me wrong, I love the dingdingding of machines and the whooping and laughter of craps tables, but part of why we love Vegas is because we enjoy the other things.

One quiet place on the strip in the gardens at the Flamingo. Waterfalls, fish, birds, and there a delicious pizza place right there too. It’s wonderful to find a quiet place on the st…

Popular Posts

Slot players love bonuses!
Here's a list of 5 games we love to play just based on the bonus games. Having fun while winning money is the name of the game.

In no particular order:

1. Simpsons Slot Machine: Double seater (already a plus), three screen slot machine with a variety of bonuses. There's a random monorail bonus, donut bonus, and bonus based on your favorite character appearing in all four corners of the game. This is a colorful and noisy machine. Plus, what could be more fun than hearing Homer antagonizing the player to hit the button and making the infamous "Doh".

2. Buffalo: One of the most popular games with slot players. There are many versions of this game from one screen old games to giant large screen game with two seaters and then there is a four screen versions with a mix of buffalo and other classics. On this newer version, this is what the player is hoping for along with hoping to get the grand prize won by a spin when you trigger the bonus. The …

The Best Plan With Four Days in Vegas
Fly in on a Wednesday night. If you come from the east coast like us, you'll arrive starving. Forget the idea that you'll be tired when you arrive; you won't be when you pick up your bags and feel that southwest night air. You'll be wide awake by the time you see the lights of the strip.

We always stay near NYNY so our first stop is there. Go grab some late night dinner (or breakfast) at America's in NYNY Casino. We love this place. There's an amazing 3D map of the United States to look at as you marvel at the fact that "I'm in Vegas!" They have breakfast all day, a late night menu, gluten free options, and delicious desserts.

After a good meal, walk right over to the piano bar. Wednesday nights are quiet so sit down and relax at the bar slots, throw in a $20, and have a drink or two.

Leave NYNY out the exit by the Zumanity Theatre and take some pictures there with the Zumanity props. It's fun. This exit …

Family Camping: Comparing Campgrounds on Cape Cod and North Conway
Camping is a fantastic way to vacation. I have been camping with my children since my boys were 2 and 3 years old. I started camping in 2006 as a single mom with two, very active boys and a dog. I was stressed, overwhelmed, and struggling to find a way to relax on a vacation with a budget when someone suggested I try camping. I borrowed a tent, packed up food and the basics and I experienced my first camping weekend. Over the years, camping has changed for me; I camp with a camper and I am a happy wife with three kids and two are teens. What has not changed is the feeling I get on that first camping night when the food is put away, the kid's bikes are out of the truck, and my worries consist of thoughts about finding enough logs and sticks to keep the fire going for those yummy s'mores.
That first trip camping over a decade ago was at Maple Park Campground in Wareham, Massachusetts. Our most recent trip ther…

Married in VegasWe’re going to the
chapel and we’re going to get married…
Yup, that’s what happened and Vegas style! If you’ve ever
considered tying the knot in Sin City, but you heard it would be unmemorable or
even, dare I say, cheesy, you should
keep reading.
We had the most amazing time getting married in Vegas!
Coming from Massachusetts, my husband and I planned ahead
for the license, hair, limo but then other parts we just let the chips fly where they may.I hope our experience helps others. Marriage
License
Apply online before you go. Remember, you’re on vacation and
you don’t want to be stuck in lines at the Clark County Licensing Bureau.
Applying online is easy and the link can be found, along with a lot of other
helpful information, on the website. http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/pages/default.aspx
Tip: Since the office is only three blocks from Fremont
Street, take the bus from your strip hotel to the bureau, complete the license process,
and then continued on to Freem…

What to Pack for Vegas: Top 7 7 is a lucky number and we are talking about Vegas so of course I had to make this the Top 7, not 10!
#1 A well-packed purse - For the guys, you can use a wallet and pockets or ask your lady for some assistance in carrying these things.
* Your license
* Chapstick
* Sunglasses
* Headphones for the plane
* Snack for the plane
* Water! You need to drink water!
* If you get motion sickness, seabands work wonders for me. You can find them in most stores in the aisle with the other #IDon'tWantToVomitVacation medicines.

#2 Money - Maybe this could be in the purse category, but it's so important it is listed separately.
* Remember to include small bills to tip at the airport, the driver, the bell service at the hotel and anyone else who helps you arrive at your destination
* Credit card to leave on file at the front desk and in case of emergencies

Money Tips:
** I like to divide my money into envelopes for each day I'm there. I know others use …

When I first starting vacationing in Vegas with my husband, we were both eating whatever and wherever we wanted. Then, 6 years ago, I was told I have an allergy to wheat and my only option was a gluten free diet. Here are my favorite, inexpensive places to eat which are also approved by my gluten-loving husband. Buffets
My husband loves the buffet. This is a tricky compromise because there's the risk of people mixing gluten and non-gluten silverware. Here are my two suggested buffets. We've eaten here a lot and I've never been sick after eating at these two places. (I just said never...hopefully not jinxing myself here)

Craving at the Mirage mirage.comis a buffet we have enjoyed pre and post gluten diagnosis. This is your health so speak up and ask the host or one of the cooks to speak to a chef about what is gluten free and what is not. The chef will give you a quick tour which is very helpful. Don't be s…

Mary Jane Falls at Mt. Charleston
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is an easy 1 hour drive Northwest from Last Vegas.
Once you enter Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, continue up Kyle Canyon Road until you reach the fire station. At the fire station, you will stay right in the roundabout (or traffic circle) onto Echo Road. Follow this road until you reach the Mary Jane Falls Trailhead. This is a popular trail so parking fills up quickly. We arrived at 8 am on our late July hike and the parking lot was already more than 1/2 full.
This area of Nevada is known to be 20 degrees cooler than the weather on the Las Vegas strip, which makes this a great getaway from the oppressive 100 degree heat. This hike is most popular in the spring and summer. The hike begins from the north side of the parking lot. The beginning of the hike is an easy walk slowly increasing in elevation while surrounded by ponderosa pines and aspens.
As the hike continues, the trail becomes a switch …

Going Up, Vegas Style
I am afraid of heights. Really afraid. I just don't like to be up high and I certainly don't like to look down and yet one of my most talked about adventures in Las Vegas is when my husband and I rode the tallest ferris wheel. Usually, if my kids and husband convince me to ride a roller coaster after constant nagging and sweet talking, it's a miracle and they have to promise not to laugh at me. A couple of years ago they convinced me to ride the Disney Snow White roller coaster and I insisted on sitting with my little girl so I could hold her hand. In reality, I knew she would hold my hand! Call it wimpy, call it smart but in truth it takes a lot to get my feet to leave the ground.

Where is it?
If you don't know, the High Roller in Vegas is located behind the Linq. This is a nice, new area of the strip full of unique shops, restaurants, bars, and fun oversized games like Jenga and Bean-Bag toss. At the end of the walkway, there stands the 550 foot…

In a world that is fast moving, this is a moment of joy. A moment to relax and enjoy each other.

Next time you visit the White Mountains and North Conway area, consider adding Jackson Fallsto your list of places to see.

Jackson Falls, although well-known to locals, seems less well-known to those visiting the area. Santa’s Village, the Saco River, outlet shopping, and Zebs all deserve to be on the must see list and so should Jackson Falls. Small kids. Teens hard to please. A young couple in love. Generations of family and friends. Jackson Falls is a fun afternoon for everyone.

Jackson center includes a quaint library, restaurant called Yesterday’s, and a small school with soccer fields and a gazebo across the street. There is parking across from the school and when we parked there we just had a nice, quiet walk over a small cross over bridge and then up the hill to the falls. This is on sidewalks so it is a safe walk, but families with small children should consider parking at the Falls…

Adventuredome at Circus CircusThis is part of a series of posts on enjoying Vegas as a family. Please subscribe for more posts in family, solo, and adult vacation adventures.
Let’s just get any concerns or preconceived ideas about this first. I admit, I was a little concerned about going to Adventuredome. Is it clean? Is it old and showing it’s age and is it worth it to go there? Well, I was pleasantly surprised by this area for the kids. It’s clean, well organized, and so much fun! This is cheaper than going to our local fair or another park and my kids has a great time. My kids are 10 and 15. There were rides for them to do together and separately.

We walked to Adventuredome from The Signature which most people won’t want to do in July. If you do, be prepared to stop along the way and take pictures. It’s a wonderful joy watching the kids taking in all thats around them: people, buildings, fancy cars, etc. We even saw a TV show being filmed and got to randomly “walk through”. How co…